Hebrews 2

1 So, [since that is true], we must pay very careful attention to what we have heard [about God’s Son], in order that we do not drift away from it, [as a boat drifts off its course when people do not guide it] [MET].

For this reason we ought the more earnestly to attend to what we have heard, least by any means we should be found deficient.

2 [God’s laws that] were given by angels were valid, and God justly punished all who rejected them and all who disobeyed [DOU] them.

For if the word spoken by angels was stedfast, and every transgression and disobedience received it's just recompence;

3 So, we will certainly not escape [God punishing us] if we ignore such a great [message about how God] [MTY] saves us! [RHQ] This [new message] was first spoken by the Lord [Jesus] {The Lord [Jesus] first spoke this [message]}. Then it was confirmed to us by those who heard [what the Lord told them] {those who heard [what the Lord told them] confirmed it to us}.

how shall we escape, if we neglect so great a salvation? which began to be declared by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by them that heard Him;

4 God also confirmed to us [that this message was true] by [enabling believers to do] many things that showed God’s power, to do other miraculous things [DOU], and [to do other things] by the gifts that the Holy Spirit distributed to them according to what [God] desired.

God also testifying together with them by signs, and wonders, and divers miracles, and gifts of the holy Spirit, according to his own will.

5 God has determined that the angels will not rule over everything. [Instead, he has determined that Christ] will rule in the new world that [God] will [create]. [That is the new world] about which I am writing.

For He hath not subjected to angels the world to come, of which we speak.

6 Someone spoke to [God about this] somewhere [in the Scriptures], saying, (No one is worthy enough for you to think about him!/Who is [worthy enough] for you to think about him?) [RHQ] (No human is [worthy enough] for you to care for him!/Is any human [worthy enough] for you to care for him?) [RHQ]

But one in a certain place hath testified, saying, "What is man that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest Him?

7 [So it is surprising that] you have caused people to be for a little while inferior in rank to angels. You have greatly honored [DOU] them [MET], as [kings are honored with] a crown.

Thou madest Him for a little while inferior to the angels; with glory and honor hast thou crowned Him, and hast set Him over the works of thy hands; thou hast put all things under his feet,"

8 You have put everything under people’s control [MET]. God has determined that people will rule over absolutely everything [LIT]. But now, at this present time, we perceive that people do not yet have authority over everything.

For in putting all things under Him, He left nothing which was not to be in subjection to Him: though we do not yet see all things subjected to Him.

9 But we do know about Jesus, [who truly has authority over everything]! Hebrews 2:9b-13 Jesus, for a little while, became inferior [in rank] to angels in order to die on behalf of [MET] everyone. He became inferior when he suffered [and] died, as God kindly [planned]. But now he has been greatly [honored] [DOU] [by being] crowned [as kings are].

But we see Jesus, who was made for a little while lower than the angels, in order to suffer death, that by the grace of God He might taste death for every man, crowned with glory and honor.

10 It was fitting that [God] make [Jesus] (perfect/all that God intended him to be). God was enabling many people who would belong to him [MET] to share his glory. God [is the one who] created all things, and [he is the one] for whom all things [exist]. [He perfected Jesus] by causing him to suffer [and die]. [Jesus] is the one whom [God] uses to save people.

For it became Him for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the author of their salvation perfect by sufferings:

11 [Jesus] is the one who (makes people holy/sets people apart for God), and they all belong to God’s family. [As a result, Christ] gladly [LIT] proclaims them to be [like] his own brothers [and sisters].

since He that sanctifieth, and they that are sanctified, are all of one. For which cause He is not ashamed to call them brethren,

12 [The Psalmist wrote what Christ said to God about us becoming] his brothers, in these words: I will proclaim to my brothers how awesome you are (OR, what you ([are like/have done])) [MTY]. I will sing praise to you in the presence of the congregation!

saying, "I will declare thy name unto my brethren, in the midst of the congregation will I praise Thee."

13 And a prophet wrote [in] another [Scripture passage what Christ said about God], I will trust him. And in another [Scripture passage, Christ said about those who are like his] children, I and the ones that God has given me are here.

And again, "I will trust in Him:" and again, "Behold, I, and the children which God hath given me."

14 So, since those [whom God calls his] children are all human beings [MTY], Jesus also became a human being [just like them]. The devil has the power to cause people [to be afraid] to die, but Christ became human in order that by his dying he might make the devil powerless.

Seeing then the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also himself in like manner partook of them; that by death He might destroy him that had the empire of death, that is, the devil:

15 [Jesus did that] to free all of us who are like slaves [MET] all the time we live, because we are [forced to] be afraid to die.

and deliver those who through fear of death were all their life-time subject to bondage.

16 Because [Jesus became a human being], it is not angels whom he wants to help. No, it is we who trust God as Abraham did whom he wants to help.

For indeed He taketh not hold of angels to save them, but of the seed of Abraham.

17 So, [since he came to help humans, not angels], he had to be made exactly like [us whom he calls] his own brothers [and sisters]. He wants to be a Supreme Priest who [acts] mercifully [to all people] and who faithfully does what God wants, so that people who had sinned would be declared no longer guilty.

Whence it behoved Him to be made in all things like unto his brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful high-priest in the things concerning God, to make atonement for the sins of the people:

18 [Specifically], he is able to help those/us who are tempted [to sin]. He can do that because he suffered, and he was also tempted [to sin like we are tempted to sin].

for as He himself hath suffered, in being tempted, He is able to succour those that are tempted.